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A Brief history of Philippine Red Cross

1899, February 17

Through the initiative of Apolinario Mabini, the Malolos Republic approved the

Constitution of the National Association of the Red Cross. Mrs. Hilario del Rosario de

Aguinaldo was appointed President of the Association.

1900, August 29

Felipe Agoncillo,International Delegate of Diplomacy, met with Gustave Moynier, an

original member of the Committee of Five and ICRC President, for the recognition of the

Filipino Red Cross Society and application of the 1864 Geneva Convention during, the

Filipino-American war.

1905, August 30

The Philippine Branch of the American National Red Cross (ANRC) was organized by

Filipino and American leaders at the Ayuntamiento.

1917, December 4

The Philippine Branch was officially recognized as a Chapter of the ANRC.

1934

President Manuel L. Quezon took the initiative to establish an independent Philippine

Red Cross. Not until the Philippines became independent did this materialize because

the Commonwealth cannot sign the Geneva Conventions.

1942

A Japanese-controlled Philippine Red Cross was created to take care of internment

camps located in the country.

1945Upon the liberation of Manila, local Red Cross officials and the ANRC undertook to

reconstitute the organization.

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1946, December 1

Thirty-six Red Cross chapters were initially set up in the country. The first Filipino Red

Cross Manager, Dr. J. Horacio Yanzon, was appointed.

1947, February 14

President Manuel A. Roxas signed the Treaty of Geneva and the Prisoners of War

Convention.

March 22

President Roxas signed the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Charter, Republic Act 95.

March 29

Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon, the first PRC Chairman, received a cable from Genevaindicating that the ICRC approved to recognize the PRC.

April 15

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was inaugurated in colorful ceremonies at the

Malacañang Palace.

Sept. 17

The PRC was admitted as a bonafide member of the League of Red Cross and Red

Crescent Societies (now known as the Federation).

1997, April 15

The PRC celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

2009

The consolidation of the Senate Bill 3285 and House Bill 6509 was signed by President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and is now known as Republic Act No. 10072 or The

Philippine Red Cross Act of 2009.

The said act is basically an affirmation of the country's "conformity with the Geneva

Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, and the Statutes of the International

Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement," as well as a confirmation of Philippine Red

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Cross' stand as a "voluntary, independent and autonomous nongovernmental society

auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the humanitarian field."

Apart from the apparent change in the organization's name from "Philippine National

Red Cross" to "Philippine Red Cross" - included in the Act's new provisions is the

organizations' exemption from real property taxes, direct and indirect taxes, duties and

fees that will emerge from its operations and its exclusive importations and purchases.

Source: http://www.redcross.org.ph/brief-history